Skip To Main Content

Aerospace & Defense

Louisiana’s aerospace and defense sector is growing fast, driven by world-class infrastructure, development-ready sites, competitive incentives, and a top-ranked workforce pipeline supported by higher education partnerships.

Louisiana: A Launchpad for Aerospace and Defense Innovation

Louisiana is a proven partner in advancing U.S. aerospace and defense capabilities. From high-growth aviation companies to key Department of Defense contractors, the state offers the infrastructure, workforce, and pro-business climate these industries demand.

Louisiana is home to both industry pioneers like Arrow Aviation and Metro Aviation, and major players such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Western Global Airlines. These companies benefit from Louisiana’s central location, multimodal logistics, and a talent pipeline built through nationally ranked workforce training programs.

Defense is a vital part of Louisiana’s economy. The state is supporting a broad network of contractors delivering critical goods and services, from shipbuilding and engineering to cybersecurity and infrastructure development.

Defense Economic Impact

$9.64 Billion

Annual economic impact of U.S. military spending in Louisiana

77,000

Louisiana jobs supported by U.S. military spending

9,000

Northwest Louisiana jobs provided by Barksdale Air Force Base

$770 million

In payroll from Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk

$9.64 Billion

Annual economic impact of U.S. military spending in Louisiana

77,000

Louisiana jobs supported by U.S. military spending

9,000

Northwest Louisiana jobs provided by Barksdale Air Force Base

$770 million

In payroll from Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk

A Business Climate That Helps Companies Soar

backnext

Boeing

Employs 1,100 Louisiana workers, many at the Michoud Assembly Facility, where the company is the prime contractor responsible for assembly of two stages of the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis space flight missions.

Lockheed Martin

Employs 280 specialists who are building the structure of the Orion Crew Capsule and other major components for the Artemis program at Michoud.

Northrop Grumman

Ranked 86th in Fortune 500’s 2021 list of America’s largest companies and operates a 900,000 square foot Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center with nearly 450 employees and contractors in Lake Charles.

Citadel Completions

Provides aircraft maintenance and luxury interiors for Boeing and Airbus aircraft in Lake Charles.

Arrow Aviation

Specializes in maintenance, repair and overhaul of helicopters in Broussard.

Metro Aviation

A national medical transport helicopter completions and operations leader in Shreveport.

NASA

Labeled its Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans—the agency’s only dedicated manned space manufacturing facility—“America’s Rocket Factory.”

Boeing

Employs 1,100 Louisiana workers, many at the Michoud Assembly Facility, where the company is the prime contractor responsible for assembly of two stages of the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis space flight missions.

Lockheed Martin

Employs 280 specialists who are building the structure of the Orion Crew Capsule and other major components for the Artemis program at Michoud.

Northrop Grumman

Ranked 86th in Fortune 500’s 2021 list of America’s largest companies and operates a 900,000 square foot Aircraft Maintenance and Fabrication Center with nearly 450 employees and contractors in Lake Charles.

Citadel Completions

Provides aircraft maintenance and luxury interiors for Boeing and Airbus aircraft in Lake Charles.

Arrow Aviation

Specializes in maintenance, repair and overhaul of helicopters in Broussard.

Metro Aviation

A national medical transport helicopter completions and operations leader in Shreveport.

NASA

Labeled its Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans—the agency’s only dedicated manned space manufacturing facility—“America’s Rocket Factory.”

Propelled by a Customized Workforce

Louisiana’s aerospace and aviation industries benefit from a robust, right-to-work workforce, with over 430,000 employed in manufacturing. The National Center for Advanced Manufacturing (NACM), established in 1999, pioneers advanced manufacturing for NASA and related industries. Nunez Community College’s curriculum aligns with Boeing’s Michoud Assembly Facility needs, while LED FastStart develops customized curricula and provides equipment to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.

Additionally, four A&P schools in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge Community College, South Louisiana Community College, Southern University at Shreveport and SOWELA Technical Community College offer comprehensive aviation maintenance training. Louisiana Economic Development partners with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to equip 12 campuses with 5-axis CNC machining centers. The state produces over 22,000 manufacturing-relevant graduates annually and promotes innovation through centers like the Louisiana Center for Manufacturing Sciences and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

Louisiana’s Military Installations

backnext

Barksdale Air Force Base

  • Bossier Parish
  • 9,000 jobs and over
  • $570 million payroll

Fort Johnson

  • Vernon Parish
  • 15,000 jobs
  • $770 million in payroll

Naval Air Station Reserve Base

  • Plaquemines Parish
  • 1,800 naval jobs
  • $170+ million in spending

Marine Forces Reserve

  • Orleans Parish
  • 1,400 military and civilian personnel
  • Annual expenditures over $80 million

Naval Information Warfare Center

  • Orleans Parish
  • Nearly 600 jobs
  • $119 million in spending

Barksdale Air Force Base

  • Bossier Parish
  • 9,000 jobs and over
  • $570 million payroll

Fort Johnson

  • Vernon Parish
  • 15,000 jobs
  • $770 million in payroll

Naval Air Station Reserve Base

  • Plaquemines Parish
  • 1,800 naval jobs
  • $170+ million in spending

Marine Forces Reserve

  • Orleans Parish
  • 1,400 military and civilian personnel
  • Annual expenditures over $80 million

Naval Information Warfare Center

  • Orleans Parish
  • Nearly 600 jobs
  • $119 million in spending

Talent Pipeline

The military accounts for nearly 4% of Louisiana jobs – about one out of every 26 jobs in the state.

Defense Contractors

Shipbuilding and repairing is the leading defense industry sector in Louisiana, accounting for $971 million in contract work and nearly 40% of all defense contract spending in the state.

Cybersecurity

Serving as the anchor of Louisiana’s Cyber Corridor, Shreveport hosts the Cyber Innovation Center and its National Cyber Research Park (NCRP), providing space for collaborating, conducting leading research and developing state-of-the-art technologies.

Military Installations

Military installations like Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk play vital roles in Louisiana's economy, providing jobs and fostering community involvement. These installations secure both economic benefits and national freedom.

Major Aviation Employers

Louisiana Incentives Push Aerospace to New Heights

Aerospace manufacturers will find a suite of highly competitive incentives designed to help their operations thrive in Louisiana.

View all Incentives arrow-small

Browse Certified Sites

Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites program boasts a strong commitment to shovel-ready business investment and a rigorous pre-qualification process. By declaring a site’s readiness for development, potential investors are made comfortable knowing that much of the startup work has already been taken care of.

Success Stories

chevron-down